The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-12
pLEAsANrRIEs OF THE DAY.


Hustlers for Votes Some Fun.
The American citizen as he is represented in
Indianapolis is little superior to any other in
the way ne stands about the polls election
day with campaign cigar between his lips,
bunch of tickets in his hand and expression
of countenance indicating that he appreciates
all his constitutional and statutory privileges.
When city elections used to be held in the spring,
the ward-worker found the climatic conditions
of the vernal season much better adapted to his
needs than the unpleasant features of day like
yesterday. just how many times the remark
was made that ''It's cold day when not
on the side of victory" ETC. would be very if
fcult matter to say but it was the prevalent
chestnut" of the day. Shivering crowds OF
tireless campaieners who had met the enemy
many occasions and knew the ropes made radg
unprotected wood piles and in that repre-
hensikle fashion gained material for camp fires.
Up in the region of the First ward where some
of the prvates in tho ranks can tell all about
Sherman's march to the sea. the camp-fr a
feature of the day. When a voter appeared at
the voting chute" the challeneers and ticket
peddlers would foreake their comfortable quar-
tiers and sally forth TO see that the purity of the
ballot was not marred The success of the fire
scheme spread and flames were cracking all
through the North Side.
The atmosphere was not productive of any
great outbursts of enthusiasm. and quietness
characterized the proceedings at all the polls.
Balot-casting seemed to be regarded a mere
business matter, and the slips of paper were
dropped in the boxes quietly. and the citizens
moved off Good feeling seemed to prevail
everywhere among those taking part in the daya
dongs, and pleasantries were passed freely. An
old German, whom every body seemed to know.
precinct of the Ninth ward. Some one on the
challenger's bench passed the wink and said: Il
guess we'd better challenge that"
'Shallenee me, ven / hat live scross der streed
since 1861" he exclaimed excitedly. but
pacifed by the laugh that went around
Out in the second precinct of the Thirteenth
ward young man was given ''stickers" for the
labor ca ndidates. He leaned up against o tree
box and arranged his ballot carefully. but when
he came to cast it his friends began launching
and euyed him SO that he threw bis ticket away
and went off without voting. Samuel E. Per-
kns was earnest worker for the Republicans
at this precinct, and voted the way he shot.
throwing the throttle of his vengeance wide open.
His erstwhile Democratic associates took
fendish delight in saying mean things about
him in his hearing. but he bore ND bravely and
gave them good as he got. These sallies
kept the crowd at this precinct in good humor.
Barney Conroy. who had short experience
government matchmaker ut the depot. also has
grievance against the Democracy. and put in
the golden moments carrying men to the Per-
kins precinct to vote Republican tickets.
You see, I'm hustling in the interests OF Coy
lsrn." remarked Simeon the illustrious. at the
first precinct of the Eighteenth ward, as he
posed on the curb with a box of cigars under his
arm and plenty of tickets in his oyercoat pocket.
In number of precincts IL stated that
Democratic challen gers were endeavoring to de-
lay matters, particularly late IN the evening. by
obiecting the votes of colored men. This was
done in many instances utterly without cause,
aud merely to hinder the transaction OF business.
1t was observed that the election boards were
unusually cautious in their work. The arrest
and trial of the conspirators aud the careessness
of officers of elections BROUGHT to light at their
trial. is seen to have had good effect all
connected with the ballot-box inspectors and
judges will be pretty likely to hold on to their
papers this time said an old party worker at a
down town precinct. land any officer wanting to
see If his papers are all right. or desiring to
organize building association will be careful
what becomes of the documents in his keeping.
and know who takes them from him."
MAKE way for this lady," said challenger w.
L. Taylor at the first precinct of the Ninth ward.
Everybody in his neighborbood thought some
feminine hand WAS about to cast ballot but il
only new scheme of proving the voting
right of man who had been challenged. The
woman turned out to be the proprietor of
clearinghouse. under whose roof the gentleman
abided and she stepped forward with her
count book under her to show the date Of
his advent and reception into her domicile.
The newly adopted citizens with naturalization
papers in their pockets, seemed to feel a. little
bit awkward at the polls. and the papers which
showed that Uncle Sans boarding -house was
really open to them caused them some anxiety.
A newcomer on the South Side tried to vote his
declaration of intention and was only persuaded
to keep 1t by vigorous oratory the part of his
friends He a German; but a Hiberpian
in the southwest quarter carried off the honors
by asking friend if he didn't get allowance
from the government for his time and services in
voting He was told that any pecunlary benefit
must be derived from sources other than the pub
lie treasury. At nearly every voting place
changes of pleasantries relieved the ,monotony
of the day. The occasional showers and the
cold air rendered out door work decidedly uu-
pleasant. and those who may wish to iollify aud
'holler" this morning NAV find rheumatism
in the linn BIS and cold in the throat sad impede
ments to the inclination.